Southeast, NY—Westchester Land Trust (WLT), a nationally accredited land conservation nonprofit headquartered in Bedford Hills, NY, announced the permanent protection of the 128-acre Ryder Farm in the Town of Southeast. Preserved in perpetuity by a conservation easement, the legal agreement ensures that Ryder Farm will forever remain free from non-farm development and be reserved for continued agricultural use. Funding for this project was made possible by a $2M grant from Round 18 of the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program, a program of New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, as well as the generosity of the Ryder family, who sold the development rights at a discount to full value. The Ryder family will continue to own and operate the farm.

Kara Whelan, president, WLT; Henry Gibson and Julia Ryder, members of the Ryder Family; Janelle Robbins, VP of conservation, WLT; and Lori Ensinger, senior advisor, WLT

Ryder Farm was established in 1795 and is the oldest working farm in Putnam County. With more than 3,000 feet of frontage on Peach Lake, protecting this property was a high priority for WLT due to development pressure and the risk of high-density housing that could have caused negative environmental impacts. Restricting further development on this land also provides drinking water protection, as the area drains into the Croton Reservoir system, which serves Westchester County and New York City. Since its founding, WLT has protected more than 925 acres of farmland across 16 properties.

“Ryder Farm is a pillar of the agricultural landscape in our region and serves as a shining example of the importance of family farms,” said Kara Whelan, WLT president. “We’re grateful to the Ryder family for carefully stewarding this iconic local institution for nine generations and thank the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for their financial support of the project.”

During its early history, Ryder Farm housed a variety of operations, including a working farm with a general store, a dairy farm, and a leisure farm with a tennis court. By the 1970s, Ryder Farm was one of the first adopters of the organic farming movement and was one of the original participating farms in New York City’s Union Square Greenmarket.

“Taking care of this land and those we share it with has been the collective work of nine generations of our family,” said Julia Gibson, Ryder cousin and board member. “It means more to us than I can say to know that the farm will forever remain just that—a place for feeding community, protecting wildlife, and growing family.”

Ryder Farm was identified in the Town of Southeast’s 2014 Comprehensive Plan Update as a “Significant Feature” within the Town’s open space resources and is included as part of the “cultural landscape that is integral to Southeast’s overall community character.” The newly protected property buffers Peach Lake from nutrient and stormwater runoff and preserves the only remaining undeveloped lake frontage.

“This easement not only protects recreational and scenic Peach Lake, but drinking water for New York City and Westchester County,” said Gentian Falstrom, WLT’s land project manager. “Ryder Farm is located in the East Branch Reservoir Drainage Basin, a highly developed and high priority basin that is part of the Croton Reservoir system. The farm property is a delight to walk, with open fields and enchanting forest paths that have been in place for hundreds of years. It is not only an historic farm providing connection to the area’s agricultural past, but a haven of undeveloped space for biodiversity alongside human cultivation.”

Agricultural production on Ryder Farm plays a crucial role in the regional economy, helping to meet the increasing demand for locally sourced organic produce. The farm currently raises organically grown vegetables, herbs, and flowers, which are available to the public at a roadside farmstand and through a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Additionally, SPACE at Ryder Farm, a nonprofit artist and agricultural residency program, attracts tourists to the area and provides valuable revenue and patronage at the Town’s small businesses and restaurants.

In recognition of their contributions to the regional agricultural community, WLT will honor the Ryder family with the Farmland Protection Award at its Annual Benefit on June 8, 2024.

Westchester Land Trust would like to acknowledge Putnam County Land Trust’s support and participation in early conversations, as well as a prior application to the State for this project. We appreciate their longstanding partnership and dedication to land protection in the area.